- Minister for Training and Skills
A new health training facility has opened its doors to students and jobseekers at Chisholm Institute's Berwick campus.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today joined Member for Narre Warren North Luke Donellan and Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas at the Kangan Drive site to open the new centre of excellence, which forms part of the Berwick Health and Education Precinct.
The Andrews Labor Government provided $10 million towards the facility through its TAFE Rescue Fund, featuring nurse training and simulation laboratories, learning areas and staff accommodation to help meet growing demand for skilled health workers in Melbourne's south east.
The precinct also incorporates Casey Hospital, St John of God Hospital and Monash University's Berwick campus.
Free TAFE is helping thousands of Victorians train in courses that lead to high-demand jobs, including in nursing, mental health and allied health assistance.
Across January and February this year, more than 2300 students have commenced one of 39 Free TAFE courses available across Chisholm Institute locations, an increase of about 147 per cent for the same courses last year.
Almost 400 of those have started tuition-free courses at Berwick, up 32 per cent on commencements for the same courses last year.
Through the Free TAFE initiative, students can save up to $2500 for some pre-apprenticeship courses and up to $5000 for Certificate IV courses, while for higher-level courses such as diplomas in nursing or building and construction, students will save more than $10,000.
About 13,500 students have commenced Free TAFE courses across 16 institutes state-wide in January and February.
As stated by Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
"This health facility will allow local nurses to access training closer to home, helping to meet increasing demand for skilled health workers in the area."
"Our Free TAFE initiative is making training more accessible and affordable so that Victorians can obtain the hands-on learning and practical skills they need for the jobs that are most readily available."
As noted by Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas
"We're ensuring people living in Melbourne's south-east have access to world-class training facilities and we're providing the health care workers our growing community needs."
As noted by Member for Narre Warren North Luke Donnellan
"We're reducing barriers to training and this facility will mean more local nursing students can get the skills they need, close to home."
